Apple Got Aced Out in Q4†

Brandweek, January 26, 2009 — In this corner we have Apple, which spent about $300 million on measured media for the first 10 months of 2008 and is every marketer’s favorite—often held up as the epitome of branding. In that corner, Acer, which spent about $12 million on media for the same period, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus, and is no one’s idea of the hallmark of brand creation.

Dell Lags in New Products†

Dell isn't launching a digital music player for the holidays, adding to concerns that it is lagging behind rivals in fresh offerings.

Wall Street Journal, November 10, 2008 — Michael Dell last year promised innovative new consumer products to generate "product lust" and spark his company's turnaround effort. But in the runup to the holiday sales season, Dell Inc. has been slow to deliver on that promise.

Survey: Wal-Mart Among Best 'Value' Brands†

YouGovPolimetrix places AIG at bottom of insurance heap

Adweek, November 4, 2008 — A recent survey by YouGovPolimetrix revealed that the slumping economy is having a significant impact on how consumers perceive brand value. Budget brands like Wal-Mart and Old Navy were ranked highest by consumers, while more upscale brands and financial services firms ranked lowest, reflecting a loss of consumer confidence.